Help pinpointing some reactivity issues
TheFairyDogmother
Australia
This is my first post so hi peoples and a prememptive thankyou for all the stuff I've read whilst being a non member in lurk mode- much of the advice has already helped me.
I also know many posts have been made about juvenile dogs and the stages and issues that can come up.yes.. this is yet another one
I have a 5 and a 1/2 mo male- he is not my first BT but I'm having some issues with reactivity to people when out walking.I should state that hes actually really good with a lot of his basic obedience and training is a big part of our daily routine( as well as training while on walks).He's also great with other dogs.
The issue is with random people ( usually aproaching from the front coming towards us) he sometimes tenses up and barks, I tend to think this is fear related as he was quite shy as a puppy ( we did do puppy school which helped a bit but he didnt seem to generalise those experiences)- from what I've read here some EBTs can be shy as pups.I have tried to pinpoint what is is besides being approached front on- generally it seems to be a men- but most men he doesnt even worry about-theres nothing in common with the ones he does get antsy over,its not beards , hats,sunglasses, certain colors etc- there seems to be nothing in common. My usual approach is to get his attention on me and ask for a sit/ down/ eyecontact, sometimes this works others I have to create distance before he stops staring and/ or carrying on.Then the next person he sees he wont pay any attention to- I cannot work this out- my thinking is to fix it I have to know whats triggering it-.I'm hoping someone here may have some tips/ advice.
We've done a fair bit of socialising- men women and kids dogs cats birds etc- but its when we're walking- not visiting , being visited or in social settings etc that this random behaviour can happen.
I also have to throw a random thought in here-I know EBTS are super sensitive- this afternoons episode involved a man who was walking on the otherside of the street, my dog was fine when the man stopped on the otherside and started asking me about him ( how old, purebred, does he like other dogs etc)- then the guy says" I'd come over but your dog doesnt look very nice"-( my dog was just sitting calmy next to me)- the minute the guy said this my dog stood up and started barking at him( tense - not a curious bark)- he may have picked up on my frustration , but maybe he picked up on the mans eyecontact or energy changing to one of something threatening towards him.
He's such a funny little pup whom I love to bits- I'd greatly appreciate any brainstorming and/or tips that would help us through this rough bit and see us into a graceful adultdoghood.
I also know many posts have been made about juvenile dogs and the stages and issues that can come up.yes.. this is yet another one
I have a 5 and a 1/2 mo male- he is not my first BT but I'm having some issues with reactivity to people when out walking.I should state that hes actually really good with a lot of his basic obedience and training is a big part of our daily routine( as well as training while on walks).He's also great with other dogs.
The issue is with random people ( usually aproaching from the front coming towards us) he sometimes tenses up and barks, I tend to think this is fear related as he was quite shy as a puppy ( we did do puppy school which helped a bit but he didnt seem to generalise those experiences)- from what I've read here some EBTs can be shy as pups.I have tried to pinpoint what is is besides being approached front on- generally it seems to be a men- but most men he doesnt even worry about-theres nothing in common with the ones he does get antsy over,its not beards , hats,sunglasses, certain colors etc- there seems to be nothing in common. My usual approach is to get his attention on me and ask for a sit/ down/ eyecontact, sometimes this works others I have to create distance before he stops staring and/ or carrying on.Then the next person he sees he wont pay any attention to- I cannot work this out- my thinking is to fix it I have to know whats triggering it-.I'm hoping someone here may have some tips/ advice.
We've done a fair bit of socialising- men women and kids dogs cats birds etc- but its when we're walking- not visiting , being visited or in social settings etc that this random behaviour can happen.
I also have to throw a random thought in here-I know EBTS are super sensitive- this afternoons episode involved a man who was walking on the otherside of the street, my dog was fine when the man stopped on the otherside and started asking me about him ( how old, purebred, does he like other dogs etc)- then the guy says" I'd come over but your dog doesnt look very nice"-( my dog was just sitting calmy next to me)- the minute the guy said this my dog stood up and started barking at him( tense - not a curious bark)- he may have picked up on my frustration , but maybe he picked up on the mans eyecontact or energy changing to one of something threatening towards him.
He's such a funny little pup whom I love to bits- I'd greatly appreciate any brainstorming and/or tips that would help us through this rough bit and see us into a graceful adultdoghood.
Comments
very much appreciate knowing I'm not alone in this!
( I'm beginning to think they're prolific psychics capable of reading approaching strangers thoughts and discerning any oncoming negativity lol )